Portraying a character on the silver screen goes far beyond simply delivering dialogues and acting in front of a camera. On numerous occasions, artists are required to undergo massive physical transformations to match the demands of their roles. Whether it involves gaining pounds or shedding substantial weight, the journey appears much simpler from the outside than the arduous and challenging reality experienced from within.
Actor Kunal Kemmu recently spoke candidly about his fitness trajectory and his personal weight-loss experiences. He revealed how his weight once climbed up to 80 kilograms before he successfully brought it down to between 71 and 72 kilograms over the course of roughly a year. Throughout this transformative journey, he also experimented with a 24-hour water fast for the very first time in his life.
How Weight Reached 80 Kilograms
During a conversation on Sharan Prashar's podcast Honestly Saying, Kunal Kemmu shared several fascinating insights regarding his physical adaptations and fitness. He explained that molding the body for films is by no means an easy task. Shedding pounds while retaining muscle mass, or continuously consuming high quantities of food to gain weight, both exert heavy tolls on the human body and mind.
Kunal noted that he previously lost weight for the film Go Goa Gone. Conversely, for a project helmed by Raj and DK, he had to pack on considerable weight to fit his character's description. During this specific phase, his weight peaked at 80 kilograms for the very first time. To achieve that look for the role, he combined heavy weight training with a diet rich in carbohydrates.
Weight Loss Proved Harder Than Gaining
According to Kunal, gaining weight was not nearly as difficult for him as returning to a fit shape from the 80-kilogram mark. He acknowledged that diet plays the most critical role in weight loss, asserting that it accounts for roughly 90 percent of the entire process. For his upcoming film Vibe, he needed to appear fit and well-toned on screen.
To accomplish this, he opted for a gradual weight-reduction approach. Kunal stated that moving from 80 kilograms down to 71 or 72 kilograms took him about a year. Rather than pursuing rapid weight loss through quick fixes, he focused on sustainable, long-term changes to his diet and lifestyle.
Trying 24-Hour Water Fasting for Seven Weeks
Amidst his weight-loss journey, Kunal experienced a 24-hour water fast for the very first time. He mentioned that he was already following a 16-hour intermittent fasting routine, where he finished dinner early and ate breakfast only after returning from the morning gym session. One day, he realized he had already gone about 16 hours without consuming any food, prompting him to push through the remaining eight hours solely on water.
Whenever hunger struck, he drank water and ultimately completed his maiden 24-hour water fast. Kunal shared that the initial 18 hours went smoothly, but managing hunger pangs between the 18th and 20th hours proved rather tough. However, once the 22-hour mark passed, he realized only two more hours remained and successfully kept his composure.
Upon completing the full 24 hours, he felt that the intense urge of hunger had subsided. He further explained that following this successful trial, he maintained a 24-hour water fast once a week for about seven consecutive weeks. However, there was one week when he skipped it, and attempting it again later did not feel quite as effortless as before. He had also shared details about this routine via a post on his Instagram account.
Giving Up Grains Brought Relief from Acid Reflux
Rather than relying solely on fasting, Kunal also introduced key dietary modifications. He adopted a high-fat and high-protein diet while temporarily cutting out grains entirely. The actor revealed that he had long suffered from acid reflux issues. According to him, eliminating grains for roughly four months brought noticeable relief from this persistent problem.
He gradually reintroduced rice back into his diet while keeping lentils at bay. Additionally, he substantially reduced his consumption of bread and other processed foods. Kunal believes these dietary adjustments not only aided his weight loss but also helped him experience significantly better energy levels throughout the day.
He emphasized, however, that his insights stem purely from personal experience. Since every individual's body and physical health are unique, consulting a professional medical expert is essential before committing to prolonged fasting regimens or specialized diets.
